Parliamentary Secretary Parm Gill Meets with Veterans and Stakeholders in Kelowna

KELOWNA, BC, Aug. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary Parm Gill today met with representatives of Veterans' organizations and other stakeholders to gain their perspectives on key issues facing Canada's Veterans. The Parliamentary Secretary was joined by the Honourable Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, and the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre.

Today's discussions gave the Parliamentary Secretary the opportunity to provide updates on Government of Canada initiatives related to Veterans' employment and the full spectrum of benefits and services available to those who have served.

The meeting allowed Veterans in Kelowna to share ideas and provide feedback on ways to help Veterans and their families successfully transition from military to civilian life.

Quick Facts

• Veterans Affairs Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces are working together to maximize private and public sector opportunities for transitioning military personnel and Veterans. Through Veterans Affairs Canada's Hire a Veteran initiative, and Canada Company's Military Employment Transition Program, more than 200 private-sector employers have committed to hiring Veterans.
  
  
• Veterans Affairs Canada offers rehabilitation services and vocational assistance to help improve Veterans' employability after they leave the military.
  
  
• Since 2006, the Government has invested almost $5 billion in new funding to enhance Veterans benefits, programs and services.
  
  
• Veterans Affairs Canada has a well-established national network of approximately 4,000 mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers and mental health nurses, who deliver mental health services to Veterans with PTSD and other operational stress injuries (OSIs).

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to providing Veterans with the supports and services they need when their time in uniform is complete. Today's valuable meeting was a great opportunity to ensure that we are on the right track for Canada's brave men and women."
Parm Gill, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs

"This roundtable provided another opportunity to hear about the positive work of Veterans Affairs as well as discuss how our Government can better address the needs of all Veterans, including recently released Canadian Armed Forces personnel face in their transition from the military to the civilian world. This input will help us strengthen the support our Government provides to Veterans and their families."
The Honourable Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country

"It is important to keep an open dialogue with Veterans and the organizations that represent them, to ensure that we are adequately supporting those who have served. I was pleased to join Parliamentary Secretary Gill and Member of Parliament Ron Cannan to gain a better understanding of the challenges Veterans face."
The Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre

"I was pleased Parliamentary Secretary Gill, Member of Parliament Ron Cannan and Member of Parliament Laurie Hawn took the time to meet with Veterans in Kelowna. It was a great opportunity for us to share our ideas on how the Government can help Veterans and their families."
George Barr, President, Unit 50, Korea Veterans

Associated Links

• VAC's Hire a Veteran program
• Mental Health
• Transition to Civilian Life

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada

For further information:

Barbara Mottram
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans of Affairs
613-996-4649

Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468